LED Front Turn Signal with Resistors
11-01-2007, 08:31 PM
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Hi All,
I was supposed to post this a while ago but I finally had time to come around to it. I wish I could show a step by step process but the pictures should be pretty self explanatory.
I got a 581 bulb Front turn signal LED White color for my Euro spec headlights. The 581 bulbs are the bulbs with the offset, I'm not sure which other e60's have it, but it ranges from the 581 to another type of bulb.
Anyway, I was able to put an LED bulb into the headlight, and as you all know, our car will give an error message saying the bulb is out, and on top of that, the bulb will blink super fast cause its low wattage.
I got some resistors lying around, from ebay btw, they were from a failed project to make LED turn signals before.
I then drilled some holes into the Socket of the turn signal. Since the socket is a snug fit when its plugged it, nothing can be squeezed in between the socket.
This will enable the resistors to touch each lead to take away the error message and make the blinking not hyperfast.
Then I mounted the resistor onto the socket handle itself by drilling two holes and connecting the resistor and socket with one big Zip tie.
Since the bulb only blinks and is never on for an extended period of time, the resistor will never get hot, and will not melt the zip tie.
And once I positioned everything correctly, Viola, I've got LED turn signals that match my 6000k HID headlights.
Without further ado, here are the pictures with captions, and video's I tape of how it looks with Hazard and arming and disarming the alarm. (at the bottom)
(Sorry some of them are blurry)
Side view of how the LED resistor attached to the socket looks
Bottom view
Top View
Closer Top View
Clearer Top View
Side view again
Notice how the zip tie is attached to the LED, and the leads from the resistor got right into the socket's drilled holes.
I drilled holes on each side like this
And the leads come out of the socket like this
Zipped tied resistor on socket
Movie Clips:
i hope ya'll enjoy. I can't stand regular amber bulbs, and putting blue bulbs into a clear headlights dont look right either, so I figured this is the best route. If ya'll got any questions, let me know.
P.S. This can probably apply to any other bulb type front turn signal.
I was supposed to post this a while ago but I finally had time to come around to it. I wish I could show a step by step process but the pictures should be pretty self explanatory.
I got a 581 bulb Front turn signal LED White color for my Euro spec headlights. The 581 bulbs are the bulbs with the offset, I'm not sure which other e60's have it, but it ranges from the 581 to another type of bulb.
Anyway, I was able to put an LED bulb into the headlight, and as you all know, our car will give an error message saying the bulb is out, and on top of that, the bulb will blink super fast cause its low wattage.
I got some resistors lying around, from ebay btw, they were from a failed project to make LED turn signals before.
I then drilled some holes into the Socket of the turn signal. Since the socket is a snug fit when its plugged it, nothing can be squeezed in between the socket.
This will enable the resistors to touch each lead to take away the error message and make the blinking not hyperfast.
Then I mounted the resistor onto the socket handle itself by drilling two holes and connecting the resistor and socket with one big Zip tie.
Since the bulb only blinks and is never on for an extended period of time, the resistor will never get hot, and will not melt the zip tie.
And once I positioned everything correctly, Viola, I've got LED turn signals that match my 6000k HID headlights.
Without further ado, here are the pictures with captions, and video's I tape of how it looks with Hazard and arming and disarming the alarm. (at the bottom)
(Sorry some of them are blurry)
Side view of how the LED resistor attached to the socket looks
Bottom view
Top View
Closer Top View
Clearer Top View
Side view again
Notice how the zip tie is attached to the LED, and the leads from the resistor got right into the socket's drilled holes.
I drilled holes on each side like this
And the leads come out of the socket like this
Zipped tied resistor on socket
Movie Clips:
i hope ya'll enjoy. I can't stand regular amber bulbs, and putting blue bulbs into a clear headlights dont look right either, so I figured this is the best route. If ya'll got any questions, let me know.
P.S. This can probably apply to any other bulb type front turn signal.
11-01-2007, 09:23 PM
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Nice work! I love how LED's look and blink so quickly, but those blue signals would get you pulled over in a minute cruising in LA.
11-01-2007, 11:16 PM
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My Ride: 2004 525i Jet Black on Grey Interior---
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nice job... anyone know what resistors are need for the reverse lights?
11-02-2007, 04:39 AM
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Thanks for the compliments guys.
The LED is actually the "white LED" that you find on ebay. It just looks very blue due to the camera. I personally dont like it too blue, but darn camera in the dark makes it seem like that.
I guess you would have to see it for yourself.
Also its not dim like those "blue hyper white" bulbs you get. You can also apply this to amber bulbs if you like that.
Here is the link to where I got the bulb,
LED Bulbs for my headlight
I believe these are the bulbs most of you guys have, I could be wrong though,
LED 3157 White Bulbs
And this is the resistors I got, 25 Ohm. It was either this, or the 50w one. I figured this would be perfect for just a blinker bulb.
LED Resistor, 25 Ohm
This resistor most likely could also work for the rear turn signal and reverse, but I haven't tried the method I just did. I'm sure you can do the same, but I have the LCI tails so I wont be messing with those LED's anytime soon. Unless someone can make a write up to change all the LED's to White on the LCI tails.. hmm.. maybe its time to use that old soldering iron and buy some LEDs... haha.
For the reverse lights.. I'm going to try to figure it out eventually..
The LED is actually the "white LED" that you find on ebay. It just looks very blue due to the camera. I personally dont like it too blue, but darn camera in the dark makes it seem like that.
I guess you would have to see it for yourself.
Also its not dim like those "blue hyper white" bulbs you get. You can also apply this to amber bulbs if you like that.
Here is the link to where I got the bulb,
LED Bulbs for my headlight
I believe these are the bulbs most of you guys have, I could be wrong though,
LED 3157 White Bulbs
And this is the resistors I got, 25 Ohm. It was either this, or the 50w one. I figured this would be perfect for just a blinker bulb.
LED Resistor, 25 Ohm
This resistor most likely could also work for the rear turn signal and reverse, but I haven't tried the method I just did. I'm sure you can do the same, but I have the LCI tails so I wont be messing with those LED's anytime soon. Unless someone can make a write up to change all the LED's to White on the LCI tails.. hmm.. maybe its time to use that old soldering iron and buy some LEDs... haha.
For the reverse lights.. I'm going to try to figure it out eventually..
11-02-2007, 08:56 AM
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Nice work man ! 
I've been looking into this small project as well, great to see what it will look like, I've just bought these:
Front Indicator, I went for more leds since our front indicators are reflector type and need more side leds imo (although your's look good as well) - offset bulb is correct as you mention
with these resistors:
Side indicator, 6 led wedge type (couldn't find a W5W type wedge with more leds)
Maybe I do the no. plate as well with these:
and with this resistor:
I've been looking into this small project as well, great to see what it will look like, I've just bought these:
Front Indicator, I went for more leds since our front indicators are reflector type and need more side leds imo (although your's look good as well) - offset bulb is correct as you mention
with these resistors:
Side indicator, 6 led wedge type (couldn't find a W5W type wedge with more leds)
Maybe I do the no. plate as well with these:
and with this resistor:
11-02-2007, 09:04 AM
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Nice Andy, but be careful of those bulbs, it might not fit into the headlight. I ran into that problem a while back...
Hmmm.. as for the side markers, they are those wedge t10's I think, and the license plates are festoon 39 MM I think. I forgot, but it should look nice once you are done.
The license plate LED doesn't need those guys.. There's a post somewhere that has the specs of what Resistor you need.
I found the link,
LED License plate post
Here is the link to radio shack, which I'm sure you guys can find an equivalent out in Europe,
Resistor
Post pics soon!!
Hmmm.. as for the side markers, they are those wedge t10's I think, and the license plates are festoon 39 MM I think. I forgot, but it should look nice once you are done.
The license plate LED doesn't need those guys.. There's a post somewhere that has the specs of what Resistor you need.
I found the link,
LED License plate post
Here is the link to radio shack, which I'm sure you guys can find an equivalent out in Europe,
Resistor
Post pics soon!!
11-02-2007, 09:28 AM
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My Ride: BMW 545iA Black Sapphire
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Originally Posted by nigxdoof' post='489069' date='Nov 2 2007, 06:04 PM
Nice Andy, but be careful of those bulbs, it might not fit into the headlight. I ran into that problem a while back...
Hmmm.. as for the side markers, they are those wedge t10's I think, and the license plates are festoon 39 MM I think. I forgot, but it should look nice once you are done.
The license plate LED doesn't need those guys.. There's a post somewhere that has the specs of what Resistor you need.
I'll find it and post the link.
Post pics soon!!
Hmmm.. as for the side markers, they are those wedge t10's I think, and the license plates are festoon 39 MM I think. I forgot, but it should look nice once you are done.
The license plate LED doesn't need those guys.. There's a post somewhere that has the specs of what Resistor you need.
I'll find it and post the link.
Post pics soon!!
just saw that, your's are 24mm, mine are 28mm diameter > do you think they'll fit or am I screwed ? the wedge ones are t13. do they throw any errors or not ? cause there's no way a resistor will fit behind...